Method of preparing keratin fertilizer with an additive of humic acids in colloid form and keratin fertilizer with humic acids additive

ABSTRACT

A method of preparing a fertilizer by feather processing inserts a weighed feather into a reaction container, and then adds caustic potash. Water is then added, and feather disintegration occurs. Phosphoric acid is poured into the mixture, and then the pH is measured—and if necessary improved with phosphoric acid or caustic potash. Epsom salt, vitriol of iron, boric acid, manganic sulphate, zinc sulphate, cuprous sulphate, ammonium molybdate and calcium nitrate are mixed in, and the mixture is partitioned into transportation containers depending on the weight of caustic potash included in the mixture using a drain pump through appropriate filter under constant stirring. The mixture is diluted with water, and the whole mass is perfectly mixed. Humic acids are then mixed into the diluted mixture to form a final keratin fertilizer with humic acid additive in colloid form.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicants claim priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Slovak RepublicApplication No. PP 50010-2010 filed Mar. 29, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a method of preparing keratin fertilizer withan additive of humic acids in a colloid form and to keratin fertilizerwith a humic acids additive.

2. The Prior Art

A fertilizer additive containing organically fixed nitrogen used forproduction of granulated or liquid fertilizer is described in apublished patent application No PP 1539-2003 in the Slovak Republic.This additive contains a mixture of original non-adjusted cattle hornsand hoofs or adjusted granular form cattle horns and hoofs with humidityup to 12% of the weight of the horns or hoofs and up to 18% of thecontent of the additive being organically fixed nitrogen of a proteincharacter, while the size of granules made from cattle horns and hoofsgranules varies from 0 mm to 12 mm.

The substance of a given solution is concurrently a method of productionof the fertilizer additive containing organic nitrogen that is used forproduction of granulated or a liquid fertilizer according to which amixture is poured into a technological container, for example into areactor. A 100% caustic potash KOH in a mass ratio of a minimum 1:2 isadded into a processed mixture and a content of a technologicalcontainer is filled with 200 liters of water. The mixture can beintermixed or warmed in a lixivium bath. After the mixture is dissolvedit is neutralized by the mixing in of 50 liters of 85% phosphoric acid.After the neutralization process is finished, the mixture can beenriched with other nutrients as for example with NO₃, Mg, Fe, Co, B,Mn, Zn, Cu etc. At the end the solvent is mixed with water H₂O up to avolume not to exceed 1,000 liters.

The amount of nitrogen in soil is the most important factor from thepoint of view of plant nutrition even though the presence of phosphorusand sulfur has a positive effect to plant nutrition too. The Nitrogen isorganically bound in a soil and therefore it loosens gradually into thesoil. It changes primarily to ammoniac form (NH₄)⁺ by the decompositionof albumin substances and by another oxidation it transforms to thenitrate form (NO₃).

Fertilizers produced so far usually have a low amount of nutrients. Thenitrogen is present in a nitrate form and to a less significant extentalso in an ammoniac form. Amidic nitrogen functions less necrotically toa plant tissue when it is not applied directly to a root. In acombination with other nitrogen forms the amidic nitrogen allows forbetter exploitability of this nutritive by plants.

A method for a production of compost according to the Hungarian PatentNo. 205 336A is known as well. This Patent describes a production methodwith a high amount of organic substances with a stimulative andalternative melioration effect with use of an additive containingkeratin and swine dung. The production process itself is a separation ofliquid swine dung with help of a phase separation into two parts—a solidpart and a liquid part. The solid part of dung is mixed with substancesincluding keratin, hair, or horns. The basic material, originating fromthis process, contains 5-50% of keratin substance. The basic material ismixed with 2-8% of hydrant lime, 5-10% of algin, 5-10% of riolit-tufa orsand stone and 10-20% of peat. Acquired mixture, taking into account itstotal weight, is homogenized with a mixing in of 10% of keratinadditive. Such well mixed compost is then formed into pits. The humidityof a pit up to 65-80% is secured with a help of a liquid that contains5-20% of dissolved keratin. Such a pit is interblended after an expirytime of 1-2 months.

According to a Hungarian patent No. 205 739A a basic substance forslowly degrading bio-fertilizer enriched with trace elements and withhigh amount of organic substances using keratin is known as well. Theproduction process is as follows: substances containing keratin areintermixed with hydrate of lime, and then during a permanent mixing inan autoclave they undergo a process of a heat treatment underconcomitant pressure change. A hot mass is filtered and filled in tanks.The mass produced is intended for bio-fertilizer and is supplemented bytrace elements as needed.

These mentioned fertilizers with keratin additive are technologicallydemanding and are time-consuming by requiring a certain amount of timebefore realization and the heat treatment used increases the costs forits development.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject-matter of the invention according to this patent applicationis a method of preparation of keratin fertilizer with a humic acidsadditive in colloid form and a fertilizer produced by this process thatis obtained by a feather processing in a poultry processing plant.

Feather delivery in a transport container approved by a veterinaryauthority with a valid disinfection being performed by an authorizedfirm has to take place before the beginning of a production process.Feathers are then batted out as appropriate and especially for thispurpose are assigned a place. Feather processing starts immediatelyafter the feather transport to the assigned place in order to avoid anypossible non desired feather quality changes.

The first step consists of inserting the already weighed feathers into areaction container. Such a container must be produced from a materialresistant to concentrated alkalics and be equipped with a closingmechanism, a mixing mechanism, an intake valve, an escape valve and mustbe equipped with a self-exhaust mechanism through a carbon filter aswell.

In the second step the caustic potash (KOH) in a ratio to the amount ofweighed feathers is added into the reaction container already filledwith the feathers so that a mixture is formed.

In the third step the water in a ratio to the amount of weighed feathersis mixed into the mixture under preparation in the reaction container.It is important to close up the reaction container before the water isadded because the water has to be added at one bout due to the fact thatthe mixture under preparation heats up intensively.

The fourth step includes disintegration of the feathers in a reactioncontainer, with the disintegration lasting for 20 hours. Over about 20hours, the feathers are dissolved in the closed reaction container underoccasional, i.e. intermittent, stirring and due to the effect of thecaustic potash (KOH).

In the fifth step 85% phosphoric acid is mixed into a mixture in a ratioto the weight of the feathers in the reaction container. After thefeathers are dissolved, in the fourth step, the mixture underpreparation is neutralized by 85% phosphoric acid. It is possible to mixin this acid directly into the reaction container and under intensivestirring of a mass in the reaction container. A reaction connected withshort-term bubbling is in progress still in this fifth step.

A pH measurement, i.e. a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity, ofthe mixture under preparation begins the sixth step of the process. Atrial probe is taken out of a neutralized mixture and is chilled to 20°C. and its pH is measured. The pH should be in a range of 6.5±0.2. In acase when the pH is outside of this range 85% phosphoric acid or causticpotash is added to the mixture to bring the pH into the range.

The seventh step includes adding epsom salt, vitriol of iron, boricacid, manganic sulphate, zinc sulphate, cuprous sulphate, ammoniummolybdate and calcium nitrate.

The eighth step includes partitioning the mixture under preparation froma reaction container into prepared transportation containers. Thepartitioning depends on a weight of caustic potash included in a mixtureunder preparation. Neutralized mixture under preparation, that is abasis of a fertilizer, is on the basis of a calculation apportioned fromthe reaction container into prepared transportation containers with ahelp of drain pump through an appropriate filter and under constantstirring of a mixture under preparation that is a basis of a fertilizerand is in the reaction container.

The ninth step includes preparation of a diluted mixture underpreparation. The transportation containers are equipped with awater-proof closure mechanism with a possibility of stirring. Water isadded into such a container with a mixture under preparation and thewhole mass in the container is perfectly or homogenously mixed.

The tenth step includes mixing in of humic acids into the dilutedmixture under preparation in the transportation container. This processcauses a formation of a final keratin fertilizer with an additive ofhumic acids in a colloid form.

Keratin fertilizer with humic acids in colloid form contains feather,caustic potash, phosphoric acid, epsom salt, vitriol of iron, bromicacid, manganic sulphate, zinc sulphate, cuprous sulphate, ammoniummolybdate, calcium nitrate, humic acids and water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the beginning of a production process a feather delivery frompoultry processing plant has to take place in a transport containerapproved by a veterinary authority with a valid disinfection beingperformed by an authorized firm. Transported feathers are then battedout as appropriate and especially for this purpose are assigned a place.Feather processing starts immediately after the feather transport to theassigned place in order to avoid any possible non desired featherquality changes. Feathers are pressed out of water, which is donestandardly in poultry processing plant and with a humidity in a rangefrom 25% to 29%. It means that, for instance, out of 300 kg of moistfeathers delivered from a poultry processing plant it is possible toobtain about 107 kg of dry feathers (300:2.8≈107), meaning that in 300kg of moist feathers there is about 193 liters of water.

In a preparatory step, feathers are weighed to determined a weight ofthe feathers.

In the first step that follows the preparatory step the feathers areinserted into a reaction container. Such a container must be producedfrom a material resistant to concentrated alkalics and be equipped witha closing mechanism, a mixing mechanism, an intake valve, an escapevalve and must be equipped with a self-exhaust mechanism through acarbon filter as well.

In the second step 15-18 weight % of caustic potash (KOH) related to theweight of the feathers is added into the reaction container alreadyfilled with the feathers so that a mixture is formed in the reactioncontainer.

In the third step 2.5-2.9 weight % of water related to the weight of thefeathers is mixed into the mixture in the reaction container. It isimportant to close the reaction container before the water is addedbecause the water has to be added at one bout due to the fact that themixture under preparation heats up intensively.

In the fourth step disintegration of the feathers occurs in the reactioncontainer and lasts for 20 hours. In about 20 hours the feathers aredissolved in the closed reaction container under occasional orintermittent stirring and due to the effects of the caustic potash(KOH).

In the fifth step 15-18 weight % of 85% phosphoric acid H₃PO₄ is mixedinto a mixture related to the weight of the feathers in the reactioncontainer. After the feathers are dissolved in the fourth step themixture under preparation is neutralized by 85% phosphoric acid. It ispossible to mix in this acid directly into the reaction container andunder intensive stirring of a mass in the container. A reactionconnected with short-term bubbling is in progress in this step.

In the sixth step a pH measurement of the mixture under preparation isrealized. A trial probe out of the neutralized mixture is taken out andchilled to 20° C., and its pH is measured. The pH should be in a rangeof 6.5±0.2. In case the pH is outside of this range 85% phosphoric acidor caustic potash is added to bring the pH into the range.

The seventh step includes adding 10-13 weight % of epsom salt MgSO₄related to the weight of the feathers, 0.19-0.23 weight % of vitriol ofiron FeSO₄ related to the weight of the feathers, 0.05-0.075 weight % ofbromic acid H₃BO₃ related to the weight of the feathers, 0.03-0.055weight % of manganic sulphate MnSO₄ related to the weight of thefeathers, 0.008-0.02 weight % of zinc sulphate ZnSO₄ related to theweight of the feathers, 0.008-0.02 weight % of cuprous sulphate CuSO₄related to the weight of the feathers, 0.001-0.005 weight % of ammoniummolybdate (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄ related to the weight of the feathers, and 17-22weight % of calcium nitrate Ca(NO₃)₂ related to the weight of thefeathers to form a modified mixture.

The eighth step includes partitioning the modified mixture from thereaction container into prepared transportation containers. Thepartition depends on a weight of caustic potash included in the modifiedmixture under preparation in that a number N of the preparedtransportation containers is determined according to the formulaN═KOH/50 wherein KOH is a weight of the caustic potash. Neutralizedmixture under preparation, that is a basis of a fertilizer, is on thebasis of a calculation apportioned from the reaction container into theprepared transportation containers with help of drain pump through anappropriate filter and under constant stirring of the modified mixtureunder preparation that is a basis of a fertilizer and is in the reactioncontainer.

The ninth step includes mixture under preparation. Transportationcontainers are equipped with a water-proof closure mechanism with apossibility of stirring. Water is added into such a container with amixture under preparation that is a basis of a fertilizer up to anamount of 1,000 liters of the whole mass in the container and the wholemass is perfectly or homogenously mixed.

The tenth step includes mixing in of 10-15 weight % of humic acids intothe diluted mixture in the transportation container. This process causesa formation of a final keratin fertilizer with an additive of humicacids in a colloid form.

1,000 liters of a keratin fertilizer with an additive of humic acids ina colloid form thus may contain 107 kg of feather, 50 kg of causticpotash, 50 kg of phosphoric acid, 33.75 kg of epsom salt, 0.64 kg ofvitriol of iron, 0.19 kg of boric acid, 0.14 kg of manganic sulphate,0.03 kg of zinc sulphate, 0.03 kg of cuprous sulphate, 0.01 kg ofammonium molybdate, 58.98 kg of calcium nitrate, 40 kg of humic acidsand a minimum of 208.1 kg water.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it is to be understood that many changes andmodifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of preparation of a keratinfertilizer with humic acids in a colloid form additive, the methodcomprising steps of: in a preparatory step, weighing feathers todetermine a weight of the feathers, then as a first step inserting thefeathers into a reaction container, then as a second step adding intothe reaction container 15-18 weight % of caustic potash (KOH) withrespect to the weight of the feathers to form a mixture in the reactioncontainer, then as a third step mixing into the mixture in the reactioncontainer 2.5-2.9 weight % of water with respect to the weight of thefeathers, then as a fourth step intermittently stirring the mixture inthe reaction container such that the feathers disintegrate, the fourthstep lasting for 20 hours, then as a fifth step mixing into the mixturein the reaction container 15-18 weight % of a 85% phosphoric acid H₃PO₄with respect to the weight of the feathers to form a neutralizedmixture, then as a sixth step performing a pH measurement of theneutralized mixture in that a trial probe of the neutralized mixture istaken out of the reaction container, is chilled to 20° C. and a pH ofthe trial probe is measured, and if the pH of the trial probe is not ina range of 6.5±0.2 85% phosphoric acid or caustic potash is added to theneutralized mixture until a pH of the neutralized mixture falls withinthe range, then as a seventh step adding to the neutralized mixture10-13 weight % of epsom salt MgSO₄ with respect to the weight of thefeathers, 0.19-0.23 weight % of vitriol of iron FeSO₄ with respect tothe weight of the feathers, 0.05-0.075 weight % of bromic acid H₃BO₃with respect to the weight of the feathers, 0.03-0.055 weight % ofmanganic sulphate MnSO₄ with respect to the weight of the feathers,0.008-0.02 weight % of zinc sulphate ZnSO₄ with respect to the weight ofthe feathers, 0.008-0.02 weight % of cuprous sulphate CuSO₄ with respectto the weight of the feathers, 0.001-0.005 weight % of ammoniummolybdate (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄ with respect to the weight of the feathers, 17-22weight % of calcium nitrate Ca(NO₃)₂ with respect to the weight of thefeathers to form a modified mixture, then in an eighth step partitioningthe modified mixture from the reaction container into preparedtransportation containers, wherein a number N of the preparedtransportation containers is determined according to a formula N═KOH/50wherein KOH is a weight of the caustic potash, and wherein thepartitioning is carried out with a help of drain pump, through a filter,and under constant stirring of the modified mixture, then in a ninthstep diluting the modified mixture in the prepared transportationcontainers to form a diluted mixture and mixing the diluted mixture tobe homogenous, wherein the dilution is performed via adding water to themodified mixture in an amount such that a whole mass of the dilutedmixture in each prepared transportation container does not exceed 1,000liters, and as a tenth step mixing in 10-15% weight percentage of humicacids with respect to the weight of the feathers into the homogenousdiluted mixture in the prepared transportation containers such that thehomogenous diluted mixture becomes the keratin fertilizer with theadditive of humic acids in the colloid form.